Child Injury Lawyer Blog

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

In Rhode Island and other states, high school athletes suffer head injuries / concussions every day. Some refer to concussions / brain injuries as the Invisible Injury. Since signs, symptoms, and after effects can be subtle and sometimes undetected by parents and medical providers, it is called the Invisible Injury. This makes it even more important for coaches, trainers, Emergency Rooms, doctors, and parents to use due diligence in examining the student athlete and conducting necessary medical testing and evaluation to help diagnose the injury and effects from the same. It is also important for parents and coaches to rest or sideline the athlete if it is in the child's best interest to rest the brain and keep the child from re injuring the same area of the head or even a different area of the head. A recent article provided interesting and important information by spot lighting the head injuries / concussions of a few student athletes in Rhode Island. You can read this story at Concussion: The Invisible Injury.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

In Johnston, Rhode Island, a mother (Julia Castillo) pulled up to a day care center to pick up her 8 month old child. Something seemed different as she pulled up to My Special Place Early Learning Center. The parking lot was empty. Julia Castillo entered the security code which did not work. She then range the door bell and knocked on the door. There was no response. She then tried to call the day care center on her mobile phone. The calls went unanswered. All through this ordeal - Julia Castillo was thinking about her child who she dropped off earlier that day. Julia Castillo along with her 8 year old daughter (Beverly) then banged on the windows until they heard the cry of her 8 month old son - Christian Martinez - inside the day care center. The police were called and later arrived on the scene. Apparently, the owners, supervisors, and employees of the day care center had all left for the day. All employees failed to realize that Christina Martinez was left behind in a building all alone. While the child was crying, it does not appear that he suffered any serious personal injuries. However, the violations and negligence of the day care center cannot really be defended by the fact that there were no serious physical injuries.

The Rhode Island State Department of Children, Youth and Families put this day care center on probation and are conducting an investigation into potential licensing violations. You can read more about this story at 8 Month Old Left Alone in Rhode Island Day Care Center.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

The United States Department of Health and Human Resources has a website that has a great reference tool for parents and caregivers with children in day care centers and child care centers. Each state regulates day care centers / child care centers through a state specific administrative code and / or policy manual. Go to State Administrative Rules and Policy Manuals for Child Care. Another good resource is located at the website for the National Resource Center for
Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education. Parents should use these and other resources to educate themselves on the various state specific rules and regulations for day care centers and child care centers. Each state regulates day care centers slightly differently. As such, parents should be informed on the regulations that apply to their children's day care center. Is the facility following the law? Are the state specific requirements for staffing being met? Are records being kept according to the state law? What information as a parent and caregiver am I entitled to regarding incidents and accidents? What disciplinary measures are allowed? What disciplinary actions are prohibited? These and many other issues are addressed in these day care rules and regulations. In addition, parents concerned about the care being received in a day care center / child care center can also consult with a child injury attorney / lawyer to find out if there is a viable case or claim to be pursued on behalf of a child who has been injured in a day care center as a result of day care negligence, abuse, or neglect.

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

A tragic pedestrian / school bus accident took place in Warwick (Providence) Rhode Island recently. A 15 year old student was hit and killed by a school bus carrying students from Providence High School. News reports indicate that the student was wearing headphone at the time of the accident. She was hit while she was crossing the street. While the student may have been distracted, it is unknown from the information reported in the news who was at fault for the accident. Of course, it is not against the law for a pedestrian to wear headphones. There have been other accidents in which pedestrians have been distracted while wearing headphones. This goes the same for drivers as well.

A homicide traffic death investigation will be conducted as to the cause of this accident.

You can read more about this story at 15 Year Old Student Hit by Rhode Island School Bus.